15 summer songs that memories are made of

What is the sound of your summer? We asked people around the office at WHYY about their favorite summer songs and the memories that go with them. What’s your most memorable summer song? 

What is the sound of your summer? We asked people around the office at WHYY about their favorite summer songs and the memories that go with them. To hear more, tune in to Morning Edition with Jennifer Lynn, Friday, June 20, on WHYY-FM or online between 6 and 10 a.m. 

What’s your most memorable summer song? Tells us in the comments below.

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Jennifer Lynn, Morning Edition host — “Here Comes Your Man” by The Pixies

“I did some serious damage to the Doolittle album on CD, cuz I listened to it so much. Good thing I had a cassette tape back up!”

Adam Staniszewski, engineer — “Wouldn’t It Be nice” by The Beach Boys

“This is a hard question for any musician to answer, but I would have pick something from the Beach Boys — just makes me think about the summer. “

Eugene Sonn, audio news director — “Summer Place” by Fountain of Wayne

“It has lots of catch lines in it. It’s all about opening up the house on the shore for the summer, which is kind of funny cuz that’s something I’ve never done. I grew up going to a lake in New Hampshire.”

Chris Satullo, vice president of news and civic dialogue — “Summertime Blues” by The Who

“I won’t sing it. I won’t even sing in the shower.”

Dave Davies, senior reporter and sometimes Fresh Air host — “Summer in the City” by Lovin’ Spoonful

“It has this really kind of upbeat arrangement and these crisp lyrics that capture what it’s like to be in the summer in the city when the asphault is cracklin’.”

Jessica McDonald, health reporter — “Girl” by Beck and “Weird Shapes” by Surfer Blood

“My classic summer song is Beck’s ‘Girl.’ It’s very bouncy — a fun pop song but still a little weird. I like it a lot. My other one from last year was Surfer Blood’s ‘Weird Shapes.’ It’s a little punkier but also a lot of fun. Every time I play it, especially when I’m driving, it just feels like summer.”

Kevin McCorry, education reporter — “Dosed” by Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Backstreets” by Bruce Springsteen

“Summer is making out in your girlfriend’s backyard listening to ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. It’s drinking beers, listening to Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Backstreets.’ It’s driving down the shore listening to Red Hot Chili Pepper’s album ‘By the Way.'”

Shannon McDonald, social media strategist — “Boys of Summer” the remake by the Ataris

“I learned to drive to that song. It was all over the radio as I drove around Northeast Philly in my mom’s Chevy Tahoe. I’d crank it up and she’d yell at me to turn it down and pay attention.”

Shirley Min, reporter/anchor — “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince 

“The title of the song sort of says it all, but I love that Jazz and Will Smith are Philly folks and the sound of the song and the lyrics take me back to high school, the shore and fun times.”

Amy Quinn, social media producer — “Rhyme for the Summertime” by G Love and Special Sauce

“I like ‘Summertime,’ the Will Smith one because it’s a taste of Philly. He talks about going to Lorenzo’s pizza and a BBQ. It’s an appeal to your senses. I like ‘Rhyme for the Summertime’ because it reminds me of Philly in the ’90s in the summer. And that’s a good thing.”

Kim Paynter, videographer — “Summertime” by Sam Cooke

“No. 1: It’s a jazz standard, so it’s got great composition. And No. 2: I love Sam Cooke, so it doesn’t cool me down, but it heats me up.”

Don Henry, director of digital news — “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra

“Because Frank.”

Robin Bloom, producer -—”School’s Out” by Alice Cooper

“My kids are getting out of school now, and I know it’s not a ‘summer’ summer song, but it always gets me psyched.”

Betsy Feil, volunteer and intern coordinator — “Summertime” by Janis Joplin

“It’s her voice, there’s so much emotion in it. I think that makes the words mean even more when she’s belting it out like that.”

Elyse Poinsett, marketing manager — “Summer Girls” by LFO

“‘Summer Girls’ by LFO is a perfect summer song. The song itself doesn’t even make any sense but there’s just something about it. It’s so bad it goes back around to being good again. ‘Crazy’ by Gnarls Barkley is good too.”